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| Staff Writer |
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Glass ceilings shatter beneath the steady hoofbeats of champions, and few have orchestrated such profound change as Sheila Laxon. Her achievements radiate brilliance in racing's pantheon. She was the first woman to claim the illustrious Cups Double, a groundbreaking Fred Hoysted Award that acknowledged her mastery and had the distinction of being Hong Kong's pioneering female track rider. Now, with two Melbourne Cups to her name – those historic triumphs of 2001 and 2024 – and a constellation of Group One victories across Australasia, she stands as living proof that talent knows no gender.
Glass ceilings shatter beneath the steady hoofbeats of champions, and few have orchestrated such profound change as Sheila Laxon. Her achievements radiate brilliance in racing's pantheon. She was the first woman to claim the illustrious Cups Double, a groundbreaking Fred Hoysted Award that acknowledged her mastery and had the distinction of being Hong Kong's pioneering female track rider. Now, with two Melbourne Cups to her name – those historic triumphs of 2001 and 2024 – and a constellation of Group One victories across Australasia, she stands as living proof that talent knows no gender.
Her touch with Thoroughbreds speaks of an almost magical connection, a partnership built on understanding rather than dominance. "Women are able to scale the cliffs that only men have previously achieved, with their quiet determination and faith in their innate ability to train horses, understanding their individual characters and getting their confidence, enhancing that horse’s desire to excel." she reflects, her voice carrying the quiet confidence of someone who has transformed possibility into reality. "I believe females have more empathy with horses than, probably, most men do. When you ask horses, rather than tell them what to do, they truly try their best."
Fresh from her masterful orchestration of Knight's Choice's 2024 Melbourne Cup victory, Laxon found herself courted by the prestigious Dubai World Cup, with its glittering US$12 million prize purse beckoning. Yet, with the wisdom that has defined her career, she has chosen to keep her champion's hooves on home soil. "After much discussion, it's been decided to pursue the same race pattern and head for next year's Melbourne Cup. Although I would have truly loved to bring Knight's Choice to Dubai," she reveals, her pragmatic spirit evident as she adds, "The Melbourne Cup is the most sensible road to take. If we stay in Australia, we do have other options if there's a wet track where we are targeting." Knight’s Choice is an absolute duffer on rain affected footing, hence his poor form leading into last year’s Melbourne Cup, when, several days prior to the Race That Stops the Nation, you were able to get $300 - 1 at the prestigious Carbine Club Luncheon!
The 1980s racing landscape was unrecognisable from today's more inclusive environment. When Laxon witnessed Empire Rose's victory in the 1988 Melbourne Cup, she couldn't cross the white line that separated women from the inner sanctum of racing. Her former English trainer's dismissive response to learning she'd started as a jumps jockey – "racing wasn't a job for girls" – epitomised the era's prevalent attitudes.
Yet these obstacles only fuelled her determination. Unable to secure a jockey's licence in England or Cyprus, Laxon found her opportunity in New Zealand. Sheila had visited New Zealand when she ‘hitch-hiked’ around the world at the tender age of 18 and had always dreamed of returning to this beautiful country. "Only around 3,000,000 people were living in New Zealand. It was the country to spread your wings and venture into your dream vocation, as there weren’t the competition (nor the wealth required) to do what you really wanted to do with your life. Anybody who wanted to do anything over there could have the opportunity if they really focussed on what they wanted to achieve. There wasn't much competition in whatever area you focussed on, as there just wasn’t the squillions of other people striving for the same objective," she recalls. This proving ground allowed her to not only ride races but also develop the foundational understanding that would later revolutionise her training approach.
Her early experience with horses began long before these professional challenges. Starting on a Welsh farm, Laxon developed her passion for equines through show jumping and began riding for a local trainer at age 12. This early connection with horses would prove instrumental in developing her unique training philosophy.
The turning point came through Ethereal, who carried Laxon into history as the first female trainer to, officially, win the Melbourne Cup, but also achieving the prestigious Gr I Cups Double in 2001. This breakthrough earned her the Fred Hoysted Award for outstanding training performance – a remarkable achievement for a New Zealand trainer in Australian racing. The victory was more than just a personal triumph; it represented a seismic shift in the industry's perception of female trainers.
"I was fortunate that, when Laurie went to Singapore to train, Peter and Philip Vela trusted me to continue training their horses.
I had already had considerable success with training Cheerful for Peter and Philip, after I branched out on my own in 1997, training a small team of around six horses. My impressive success rate created an excellent springboard for my career."
The success with Ethereal opened doors that had previously been firmly closed. Laxon received invitations to compete internationally, including potential entries in the Dubai World Cup and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Though these campaigns didn't materialise – the owners chose to pursue the GR I BMW instead, where Ethereal claimed another victory before retirement – they marked a significant step forward in recognition of female trainers' capabilities on the global stage.
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Today, Laxon's partnership with husband, John Symons, exemplifies how complementary strengths can create racing excellence. While Symons possesses an exceptional eye for yearling talent – evidenced by his AUS $9,000 purchase of Group One winner Bel Esprit – Laxon's intuitive understanding of staying races and innovative training methods complete the equation.
Their collaboration demonstrates the evolution of racing partnerships, with each partner bringing unique strengths to the operation. Symons' talent for identifying promising yearlings complements Laxon's patience and understanding in developing their potential. "John has this incredible ability to pick yearling athletes, and nearly every horse he's selected has been as an outstanding athlete," Laxon acknowledges.
Their latest star, Knight's Choice, showcases this synergy perfectly. The son of Extreme Choice captured the 2024 Melbourne Cup with a performance that Laxon describes as "effortless and brilliant" under jockey Robbie Dolan's "most sensational ride of all time." The victory not only validated their partnership but also demonstrated how far the industry has come in embracing different approaches to training and management.
With the Dubai World Cup now on the horizon, Laxon's pioneering spirit remains undiminished. Having previously ridden trackwork in Hong Kong in 1992, becoming the first female track rider to do so, she thereby had considerable input into Romanee Conti (Ethereal’s dam) winning the Hong Kong Cup that year.
Sheila views international challenges as opportunities to adapt and innovate. "I love seeing how things are done differently and determining how best to utilise training facilities in various locations," she explains. "When you have a horse with great breathing capacity, who can travel contentedly, well within itself, you're close to success."
Her training methodology, developed over decades of hands-on experience, emphasises an understanding of each horse's individual character. "Because I was a jockey when I was younger, I was very aware that travelling in a tight bunch of horses, and as soon as a gap opens, we must teach our horse to take advantage and sprint off the mark," she explains. This attention to detail and emphasis on education has become a hallmark of her training approach.
"The education that riders provide is extremely important. We want them to travel smoothly within themselves, not pulling or wasting unnecessary energy, and for them to be ready to sprint off the mark whenever a gap opens or when we need to start moving forward to finish the race."
The potential Dubai campaign with Knight's Choice represents more than just another racing challenge. It's an opportunity to showcase Australian racing excellence on the global stage while continuing to break down barriers for women in the sport. Her son's connection to Dubai racing adds a personal dimension to this potential campaign, with Laxon having previously visited and admired the emirate's world-class facilities.
Looking at today's racing landscape, Laxon sees a transformed industry. Female jockeys and trainers are now commonplace, with many achieving at the highest levels. From the days when arbitrary lines at racecourses restricted women, the sport has evolved to one where talent and dedication are the primary measures of success.
Her training philosophy – emphasising understanding and asking rather than telling – has proven that different approaches can yield extraordinary results. This method, which prioritises horse psychology and individual character over instruction and dogmatism, has influenced a new generation of trainers, both male and female.
The success of her stable operation demonstrates the effectiveness of building strong teams and trusting in their abilities. With her team on the Sunshine Coast achieving four wins during her absence for the Melbourne Cup campaign, Laxon credits the dedication of professionals like Scotty (Wrangler) and Trudy Thornton, who manages the operation "as if it were her own" and is a Kiwi friend, an amazing horse person as well as a very accomplished jockey.
As she contemplates Knight's Choice's international campaign, Laxon remains focused on opening doors for others. "I love a challenge," she declares. "Anything that I can do that can open the gates to women engaging in the racing industry is a really big plus for me."
"If they're passionate about what they do, and love horses, they can be just as successful as I am, and even more so," she affirms. "The world's their oyster."
Through decades of persistence, innovation, and success, Sheila Laxon hasn't just earned her place in racing history – she has helped reshape its future. Her journey from being denied basic opportunities to standing atop the racing world inspires aspiring horsewomen worldwide. As she continues to explore new horizons with Knight's Choice, her legacy extends far beyond her impressive trophy cabinet, inspiring a new generation to believe in the power of doing things differently and the importance of understanding these magnificent athletes on their own terms.